EP0832679A2

EP0832679A2 - Process and apparatus for gas separation

Info

Publication number: EP0832679A2
Application number: EP97306957A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Norberto O. Lemcoff; Mario A. Fronzoni; Michael E. Garrett; Brian C. Green; Tim Atkinson; Alberto I. Lacava
Original assignee: BOC Group Inc
Current assignee: Linde LLC
Priority date: 1996-09-27
Filing date: 1997-09-08
Publication date: 1998-04-01
Also published as: CA2214916A1; CA2214916C; AU718925B2; AU3924197A; JPH10151315A; ID19678A; EP0832679A3

Abstract

A rotary valve assembly (C) which includes of a pair of valve parts (6, 8) with flat faces (14, 18) which, when pressed together and rotated, provide valving action between various ports incorporated in one of the valve parts. The first valve part (6) contains two circular arrays of through openings (20a, 20b, 22a, 22b), each of which is connected to a conduit. The second valve part (8) contains several passages (34, 44, 52) which provide communication between various openings of the first valve part (6) and valve ports (58, 60, 62) located in the second valve part (8). The second valve part (8) also contains one or more passages (28) which provide communication between members of one array of openings. The valve assembly (C) can be effectively used to automate operation of a gas or liquid adsorption system comprising two or more adsorption vessels (A, B), the number of vessels being equivalent to the total number of openings in either array. Use of the valve assembly (C) in an adsorption system eliminates the need for many of the valves required in conventional multivessel adsorption systems.

Description

This invention relates to the separation of gases by pressure swing adsorption (PSA), and more particularly to an adsorption system comprised of a plurality of adsorption vessels arranged in parallel and operated sequentially to provide a quasi-continuous supply of nonadsorbed gas product. Sequencing of the adsorption vessels in the production cycle is controlled by means of a rotary valve which, by its rotation controls the flow of the various gas streams to and from the adsorption vessels.

Cyclic adsorption processes are generally practised in batteries of adsorption vessels comprised of two or more adsorbent-filled vessels arranged in parallel and operated out of phase such that at least one vessel is in the adsorption mode while at least one other vessel is in the adsorbent regeneration mode. In each cycle of the process a series of sequential steps, including adsorption, equalisation and regeneration, are carried out in each vessel. To enable the various streams to flow to and from the vessels, the feed, product, and exhaust lines must be provided with valves to permit gas flow through these lines at the appropriate time in the adsorption cycle. Furthermore, cross-connecting lines must be provided between the inlet ends of the vessels and between the outlet ends of the vessels to permit flow between the vessels during pressure equalisation steps, and each cross connecting line must be equipped with a valve to control the flow of gas through these lines. All in all, each vessel of the system is provided with at least three valves, and each valve is opened and closed at least once during each cycle of the process. PSA cycles are commonly as short as one minute, accordingly each valve may be required to open and close sixty or more times each hour that the system is in operation. Not only is there considerable wear on each valve over the course of an adsorption run, but considerable energy is expended just to open and close the valves of the system during operation of the plant.

Adsorption processes are inherently batch-type processes. Nonadsorbed gas product is produced only during the adsorption step and desorbed gas product is produced only during the adsorbent regeneration step of the process. Because of this, the desired product is produced, at best, for no more than one-half of each cycle. Since it is often desirable or necessary that a continuous flow of product be available, for example when oxygen is provided for medical purposes, improvements to adsorption systems and processes which provide better product flow continuity are continually sought. Recently, efforts have been made to develop adsorption systems that operate somewhat like continuous process systems. Some of the more promising new adsorption plant designs are based on the principle of rotation. In some designs the adsorption units rotate through stationary gas zones, while in other designs the adsorption units are stationary while gas flow is sequenced through the various units of the system.

US Patent No. 4,925,464, discloses a simple rotary valve assembly for use with adsorption vessels. The assembly consists of two valve members which have respectively engaged surfaces that are relatively rotatable to provide valving action. The valve assembly of this patent permits fluid to flow to and from the various adsorption vessels at appropriate times during the process cycle.

Useful pressure swing adsorption plant designs which incorporate rotary valves are described in US Patent Nos. 5,268,021, 5,366,541 and RE 35099. Each of these patents disclose controlling the operation of a battery of two or more adsorption vessels during a PSA process by a rotary valve which directs feed to, and desorbed component from, the various adsorption vessels of the system. The rotary valve described in these patents also provides for the transfer of fluid from one vessel to another during a pressure equalisation step. Pressure equalisation is the passage of gas from a first vessel that has just completed its adsorption step to a vented or evacuated vessel which has just completed its adsorbent regeneration step. In the above patents the flow of fluid during pressure equalisation is from the higher pressure vessel via its inlet end, then through the rotary valve, then into the low pressure vessel via its inlet end. This method of bed equalisation, referred to herein as "inlet to inlet equalisation", is not very efficient for certain adsorption processes because less of the fractionated gas near the outlet end of the first vessel is transferred to the second vessel. The gas remaining in the first vessel is lost during the following depressurisation step.

More efficient operation of adsorption system operation is achieved when other pressure equalisation techniques are employed. Particularly useful pressure equalisation methods are those known as "outlet-to-outlet equalisation" during which fluid flows from the high pressure vessel to the low pressure vessel by flow through the outlets of the vessels; "outlet-to-inlet-and-outlet equalisation", during which fluid flows from the high pressure vessel through its outlet to the low pressure vessel through both its inlet and outlet; and "inlet-to-inlet/outlet-to-outlet equalisation", during which fluid flows from the high pressure vessel to the low pressure vessel by parallel flow through both the inlets and the outlets of the vessels. These techniques are described in detail in US Patent No. 5,176,722.

There is a need for rotary valves which can enable adsorption system to operate with adsorption cycles which include the above-described outlet to outlet, outlet-to-inlet-and-outlet and inlet-to-inlet/outlet-to-outlet pressure equalisation steps.

Accordingly the present invention provides a valve for providing selective flow communication between first fluid flow conduits and between second fluid flow conduits comprising a feed inlet, an exhaust outlet and first and second valve members having respective engaged surfaces relatively rotatable about a common centre of rotation to provide valving action, said first valve member having a first set of equally spaced through apertures concentrically disposed at a first radius from said common centre of rotation with each aperture being in fluid communication with one of said first fluid flow conduits and a second set of equally spaced through apertures concentrically disposed at a second radius from said common centre of rotation with each aperture being in fluid communication with one of said second fluid flow conduits, said first and second sets of apertures comprising the same number of apertures; said second valve member having at least one flow passage means for selectively interconnecting two apertures of said first set of apertures, at least one feed passage means for providing fluid communication between said feed inlet and one or more apertures of the second set of apertures and at least one exhaust passage means for providing fluid communication between said exhaust outlet and one or more apertures of the second set of apertures; and drive means for effecting relative rotation of said valve members to enable rotationally cycled interconnection and fluid flow between two apertures of said first set of apertures, between said feed inlet and one or more apertures of said second set of apertures and between said exhaust outlet and one or more apertures of said second set of apertures

Such an arrangement not only allows the various methods of pressure equalisation to be carried out, but also enables additional steps, such as product gas flow, vessel purging and product fluid backfill to be automatically controlled without additional valves.

In its broadest aspect the invention comprises a valve assembly for providing selective flow communication between first fluid flow conduits and between second fluid flow conduits. The assembly comprises three components; a first valve member, a second valve member and a drive means for causing relative rotation of the first and second valve members. The first and second valve members have smooth surfaces which are engaged and which are relatively rotatable about a common centre of rotation to provide valving action. The first valve member has two sets of equally spaced through apertures: a first set of apertures concentrically disposed about the common centre of rotation at a first radius, with each aperture of the first set being in fluid communication with one of the above-mentioned first fluid flow conduits; and a second set of apertures concentrically disposed about the common centre of rotation at a second radius, with each aperture of the second set being in fluid communication with one of the above-mentioned second fluid flow conduits. The first and second sets of apertures have the same number of apertures. The second valve member has at least one flow passage means for selectively interconnecting two apertures of the first set of apertures, one or more feed ports, one or more exhaust ports, at least one feed passage means for providing fluid communication between the feed port(s) and one or more apertures of the second set of apertures and at least one exhaust passage means for providing fluid communication between the exhaust port(s) and one or more apertures of the second set of apertures. The drive means serves to provide relative rotation of the valve members to enable rotationally cycled interconnection and fluid flow between two apertures of the first set of apertures, between the feed port(s) and one or more apertures of the second set of apertures and between the exhaust port(s) and one or more apertures of the second set of apertures.

The second valve member may additionally have at least one flow passage means for selectively interconnecting two apertures of the second set of apertures.

The at least one flow passage means may interconnect two apertures of the first set of apertures and one aperture of the second set of apertures.
Preferably, the first valve member is stationary and the second valve.

The first and second sets of apertures may comprise the same even number of apertures.

In one arrangement of embodiments of the invention, the first and second sets of apertures each have two apertures, and the second valve member has (a) one flow passage means for selectively interconnecting the two apertures of the first set of apertures, (b) one flow passage means for selectively interconnecting the two apertures of the first set of apertures and one flow passage means for selectively interconnecting the two apertures of the second set of apertures or (c) one flow passage means for selectively interconnecting two apertures of the first set of apertures and one aperture of the second set of apertures; one feed passage means for providing fluid communication between the feed inlet and one or more apertures of the second set of apertures; and one exhaust passage means for providing fluid communication between the exhaust outlet and one or more apertures of the second set of apertures.

In another arrangement, the first and second sets of apertures of the first valve member of the valve assembly each have more than two apertures. In a more preferred version of this arrangement the second valve member has (a) two flow passage means each of which selectively interconnects two apertures of the first set of apertures, (b) two flow passage means each selectively interconnecting two apertures of the first set of apertures and two flow passage means each interconnecting two apertures of the second set of apertures or (c) two flow passage means each of which interconnects two apertures of the first set of apertures and one aperture of the second set of apertures; two feed passage means, each providing fluid communication between the feed inlet and one or more apertures of the second set of apertures; and two exhaust passage means, each providing fluid communication between the exhaust outlet and one or more apertures of the second set of apertures. In a most preferred arrangement each set of apertures of the first valve member has a total of 8, 12, 16 or 20 apertures.

The drive means can be adapted to produce continuous relative motion of the valve members, or it can produce stepwise relative motion of the valve members.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the valve assembly further comprises a product outlet, and the second valve member additionally has at least one product passage means for providing fluid communication between the product outlet and one or more apertures of the first set of apertures. Preferably, each product passage means is at least partly located in a radial sector from the common centre of rotation in which a feed passage means is located. Preferably, a portion of each product passage means serves as a backfill passage means.

In another preferred embodiment, the valve assembly further comprises a backfill inlet and the second valve member additionally has at least one product backfill passage means for providing fluid communication between the backfill inlet and one or more apertures of the first set of apertures.

In another preferred embodiment, the valve assembly further comprises a purge inlet and the second valve member additionally has at least one purge passage means for providing fluid communication between the purge inlet and one or more apertures of the first set of apertures. Preferably, each purge passage means is located in the radial sector from the common centre of rotation in which an exhaust passage means is located. More preferably, the radial sector in which each purge passage is located has a lesser angular extent than the radial sector in which each exhaust passage means is located.

A second aspect of the invention is an adsorption system comprising one of the above-described embodiments of valve assembly and an array of adsorption vessels each having a feed inlet end and a product outlet end, with each vessel containing an adsorbent which preferentially adsorbs one or more fluids of a fluid mixture relative to one or more other fluids of the mixture. In this aspect, each conduit of the first set of fluid flow conduits is connected to the product outlet end of one vessel of the array of adsorption vessels and each conduit of the second set of fluid flow conduits is connected to the feed inlet end of one vessel of the array of adsorption vessels.

The adsorption vessels may be straight elongate vessels or they may be U-shaped or concentric so that, for example, their inlet ends and outlet ends are adjacent or somewhat adjacent each other.

In a preferred embodiment of the above-described adsorption system the first radius is greater than the second radius.

In another preferred embodiment of the adsorption system, the valve assembly has a product outlet and the second valve member additionally has at least one product passage means for providing fluid communication between the product outlet and one or more apertures of the first set of apertures. Preferably, each product passage is at least partly located in a radial sector from the common centre of rotation in which a feed passage means is located. Preferably, a portion of the at least one product passage means serves as a backfill passage means.

In another preferred embodiment of the adsorption system, the valve assembly has a backfill inlet and the second valve member additionally has at least one product backfill passage means for providing fluid communication between the backfill inlet and one or more apertures of the first set of apertures.

In another preferred embodiment of the adsorption system, the valve assembly further comprises a purge inlet and the second valve member additionally has at least one purge port passage means for providing fluid communication between the purge inlet and one or more apertures of the first set of apertures. Preferably, each purge passage means is located in a radial sector from the common centre of rotation in which an exhaust passage means is located. More preferably, the radial sector in which each purge passage means is located has a lesser angular extent than the radial sector in which each exhaust passage means is located.

In another aspect, the invention is a process comprising introducing into the feed inlet of the above-described adsorption system, while the first and second valve members are in relative rotation, a fluid mixture which contains a first component which is preferentially adsorbed by the adsorbent contained in the adsorption vessels relative to a second component of the fluid mixture, while withdrawing through the product outlet fluid enriched in the second component and withdrawing from the exhaust outlet fluid enriched in the first component and providing outlet-to-outlet, inlet-to-inlet and outlet-to-outlet, or outlet-to-inlet-and-outlet equalisation between selected vessels of the system. The process is particularly suitable for fractionating gaseous mixtures, such as air. The adsorbed component of the air may be oxygen or it may be nitrogen.

The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view, partly in section, of a two vessel adsorption system incorporating a valve assembly in accordance with the invention for effecting outlet-to-outlet pressure equalisation;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the valve port disk used in the embodiment of Figure 1, taken along the line 2 - 2- of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the valve passage disk used in the embodiment of Figure 1, taken along the line 3 - 3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the valve passage disk of Figure 3, taken along the line 4 - 4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a plan view of a valve port disk for effecting outlet-to-outlet pressure equalisation for use in a twelve vessel adsorption system;

Figure 6 is a plan view of a valve passage disk designed for use with the valve port disk of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the valve passage disk of Figure 6, taken along the line 7 - 7;

Figure 8 is a plan view of a variation of the valve passage disk shown in Figure 3, but for effecting inlet-to-inlet/outlet-to-outlet pressure equalisation; and

Figure 9 is a plan view of another variation of the valve passage disk shown in Figure 3, but for effecting outlet-to-inlet-and-outlet pressure equalisation.

The same or similar reference numerals are used to represent the same or similar parts in the various drawings. For clarity, valves, lines and equipment that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention have not been included in the drawings.

The invention involves several aspects: rotary valve assemblies that can be used in various industrial processes in which a fluid is transferred from one point to another; multiple vessel adsorption systems that use these rotary valve assemblies; and processes for fractionating fluids using the multiple vessel adsorption systems of the invention. As used herein the term "fluid" includes both gases and liquids. The process aspect of the invention will be described in detail as it applies to the fractionation of gases, although it applies equally well to liquid fractionations.

A principal function of the valve assemblies of the invention is to provide outlet-to-outlet, inlet-to-inlet/outlet-to-outlet or outlet-to-inlet-and-outlet pressure equalisation between an adsorption vessel that has just completed its adsorption step and one that has just completed its adsorbent regeneration step, and to control the flow of the feed stream to and the flow of exhaust gas from the various adsorption vessels of the system, but they can be used to control the flow of all streams of the adsorption system, as described below.

The invention can be more thoroughly understood from the following description, considered with the appended drawings. Turning now to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1-4, illustrated therein is an adsorption system comprising two adsorption vessels, A and B, and a rotary valve assembly C. The inlet ends of vessels A and B are connected to feed

lines

2a and 2b, respectively, and the outlet ends of the vessels are connected to product

gas outlet lines

4a and 4b, respectively. Valve assembly C comprises valve port disk 6, valve passage disk 8, valve assembly cover 10 and drive motor 12.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-4, valve port disk 6 and valve passage disk 8 are shown as circular in construction, although they may be shaped otherwise, for example polygonal. Valve port disk 6 and valve passage disk 8 are preferably made from a durable material such as ceramic, which can be ground to a highly polished flat finish to enable the faces of the disks to form a fluid-tight seal when pressed together.

Valve port disk 6 has a highly polished flat circular engagement surface 14, a smooth cylindrical sidewall 16 (Figure 1), feed opening 18,

outer openings

20a, 20b and

inner openings

22a, 22b.

Openings

20a and 20b lie in the same ring array, i.e. they each are the same radial distance from the geometric centre of surface 14.

Openings

22a and 22b likewise lie in the same ring array.

Openings

18, 20a, 20b, 22a and 22b are on the same diameter line through the geometric centre of circular surface 14, and they extend completely through disk 6 in a direction perpendicular to surface 14.

Openings

20a and 20b are shown as being the same size as

openings

22a and 22b, although they can have different sizes. All openings of a given array of openings are the same size, however.

Valve passage disk 8, which likewise has a highly polished smooth engagement circular surface 24 and a smooth sidewall 26, has several arcuate passages or channels cut into surface 24, each of which has as its centre of rotation the geometric centre of circular surface 24. These include optional blind feed passage 28, which has a centre circular portion 30 and an arcuate passage portion 32; optional arcuate exhaust passage 34, which has a bore 36 that initially extends into disk 8 in a direction perpendicular to surface 24 and then extends radially outward to the peripheral sidewall 26 of disk 8 (see Figure 4); blind equalisation passage 44, which has an arcuate portion 46 and grooved end portions 48; optional arcuate product port 50, which extends radially outward to and cuts through sidewall 26 of disk 8; and optional arcuate purge passage 52, which has a bore 54 that likewise initially extends into disk 8 in a direction perpendicular to surface 24 and then extends radially outward to peripheral sidewall 26 of disk 8 (see Figure 4). When disk 8 is placed on top of disk 6 in such a manner that surface 14 of disk 6 engages surface 24 of disk 8 with their geometric centres coinciding,

arcuate passages

32 and 34 coincide with the annulus in which

openings

22a and 22b are located, and they come into registration with these openings upon rotation of disk 8; and the inner portion of optional arcuate product port 50, optional arcuate purge passage 52 and a part of end portions 48 of equalisation passage 44 coincide with the annulus in which

openings

20a and 20b are located, and they come into registration with these openings upon rotation of valve disk 8.

Returning to Figure 1, valve assembly cover 10 has a cylindrical sidewall 56 and is provided with exhaust line 58, optional purge fluid supply line 60, and optional product gas line 62 which, in the illustrated embodiment, extend through sidewall 56. The inside diameter of sidewall 56 is somewhat greater than the outside diameters of

valve disks

6 and 8. Positioned between the inside surface of sidewall 56 and

disks

6 and 8 are a number of resilient

annular seal rings

64a, 64b, 64c and 64d, which form fluid-tight seals between the inside surface of sidewall 56 and the sidewalls of

disks

6 and 8. These seal rings, together with

disk sidewalls

16 and 26 and the inside wall of sidewall 56, form annular channels around

disks

6 and 8 through which fluids can pass. Line 58 and bore 36 communicate with the annular passage between

seal rings

64a and 64b; Line 60 and bore 54 communicate with the annular passage between seal rings 64b and 64c; and optional product gas line 62 and optional product port 50 communicate with the annular passage between

seal rings

64c and 64d.

In valve assemblies in accordance with the invention the valve port disk and the valve passage disk are pressed tightly together so that no leakage of fluid occurs between the engaged polished surfaces of the valve disks. This can be accomplished, for example, by means of a spring or by means of fluid pressure, as is described in US Patent Nos. 5,268,021, 5,366,541 and RE 35099.

Drive motor 12 has a drive shaft 66 which extends through the top wall of valve assembly cover 10 and extends into a recess 68 in the top of valve disk 8. Motor 12 is connected to a source of electric power and has a control mechanism (not shown) for controlling the direction and speed of rotation of shaft 66. As drive shaft 66 rotates it causes valve disk 8 to rotate, to cycle the adsorption vessels A and B through the various steps of the adsorption process. In the valve assembly of Figure 1,

valve disks

6 and 8 are arranged so that

circular surfaces

14 and 24 have the same geometric centre and this centre serves as the centre of rotation of valve disk 8. Motor 12 can impart continuous or stepwise rotation to valve disk 8 around its centre of rotation. In stepwise rotation the steps may coincide with the angular distance between the centres of adjacent openings in each ring array, which in the embodiment of Figures 1-3 is 180°; or it may be of some lesser angular extent such that the angular distance between the centres of adjacent openings of each ring array is an exact multiple of the angular extent of each step of rotation.

In the arrangement of Figure 1,

feed lines

2a and 2b are connected in a fluid-tight relationship to the lower ends of

openings

22a and 22b, respectively; product gas outlet lines are connected to the lower ends of

openings

20a and 20b, respectively, and feed line 72 is connected to the lower end of feed opening 18. All of these connections are fluid-tight.

Practice of the process of the invention in the system of Figure 1 will be described as it applies to the fractionation of air with adsorption vessels A and B being packed with a particulate adsorbent which preferentially adsorbs oxygen relative to nitrogen, so that nitrogen is produced as the nonadsorbed product gas. An adsorbent such as carbon molecular sieve will provide this effect when the adsorption process is carried out on a kinetic basis.

At the beginning of the process

arcuate passages

32 and 34 are in registration with the top ends of

openings

22b and 22a, respectively, and arcuate product port 50 and arcuate purge port 52 are in registration with the top ends of

openings

20b and 20a, respectively. In this mode, adsorption vessel B is in the adsorption stage and adsorption vessel A is in the adsorbent regeneration stage of the adsorption process. Thus, feed air which preferably has been prepurified to remove water vapour and carbon dioxide and filtered to remove solid impurities is fed at the desired pressure through line 72, opening 18, feed passage 28, opening 22b and line 2b, and into vessel B. As the air passes downwardly through vessel B, oxygen is preferentially adsorbed by the adsorbent in the adsorber and nitrogen-enriched gas passes out of the bottom of vessel B through line 4b. The nitrogen-enriched gas passes through opening 20b and arcuate product port 50 and enters the annular space defined by the outer cylindrical walls of

valve disks

6 and 8, seal ring 64c and seal ring 64d. The gas then exits the system through product line 62 and is sent to product storage or a use application. It is not necessary that the product gas pass through valve assembly C. It can be removed from the system through a line connected to line 4b (not shown), if desired.

Also, at the start of the process the adsorbent in vessel A is undergoing regeneration. This is effected by depressurising vessel A by venting gas contained in this vessel countercurrently (in the direction opposite the direction that feed gas passes through the adsorption vessel) from this vessel through line 2a. The vent gas passes through opening 22a, arcuate passage 34 and bore 36 and enters the annular space surrounding valve disk 8 and defined by outer surface 26 of disk 8, the inside surface of sidewall 56 of cover 10 and

seal rings

64a and 64b. The vented exhaust gas then exits the system via line 58 and is vented to the atmosphere, or is otherwise used or disposed of. Adsorbent regeneration may be carried out by simply evacuating vessel A, or it may be assisted by purging vessel A with a gas that is lean in the adsorbed component, for example the nitrogen enriched product gas produced in vessel B during the adsorption process. If a purge step is to be included in the process, the selected purge gas is introduced into the system through line 60 and it enters the annular space defined by the inside surface of sidewall 56, surface 26 of valve disk 8 and

seal rings

64b and 64c. The purge gas passes through bore 54, opening 20a and line 4a and flows countercurrently through vessel A. As it does so it flushes adsorbed oxygen from vessel A. The purged exhaust, and possibly some purge gas, pass out of the system through line 58.

As the process continues, valve disk 8 continuously rotates in a selected direction, for example clockwise as viewed in Figure 3. During this period the adsorbed gas front in vessel B advances towards the product outlet end of this vessel. The velocity of rotation is set such that the trailing edges of

passages

32 and 50 will pass out of registration with

openings

22b and 20b, respectively at the exact time when the adsorption front reaches the desired end point of the adsorption step. Simultaneously, the trailing edges of

passages

34 and 52 will pass out of registration with

openings

22a and 20a, respectively. After these passages pass out of registration with the respective openings the adsorption step in vessel B and the bed regeneration step in vessel A are finished for the current cycle.

As rotation of valve disk 8 continues, end portions 48 of equalisation passage 44 will come into registration with

openings

20a and 20b. At this point gas will flow from vessel B, through line 4b, opening 20b, equalisation passage 44, opening 20a, line 4a and into to vessel A. Thus, gas from the outlet end of vessel B will flow into the outlet end of vessel A, thereby effecting outlet-to-outlet pressure equalisation. Accordingly, the gas from vessel B which is most enriched in nitrogen will enter the product end of vessel A thus making the process highly efficient. The bed equalisation step can be allowed to continue until the pressure in the two vessels reaches equilibrium or for any shorter period of time. The time extent of the equalisation step is determined by the velocity of rotation and by the width of end portions 48 of equalisation passage 44. End portions 48 can be as narrow or as broad as desired, within the limits set by the distance between the trailing and leading edges, respectively, of

passages

50 and 52.

As valve disk 8 continues to rotate, end portions 48 of equalisation passages 44 will pass out of registration with

openings

20a and 20b. This marks the end of the pressure equalisation step.

Upon further clockwise rotation of disk 8, the various passages come into registration with corresponding openings of disk 6 to cause vessel A to enter the adsorption mode and vessel B to enter the adsorbent regeneration mode. During this period

arcuate passages

32 and 50 will be in registration with

openings

22a and 20a, respectively, and

arcuate passages

34 and 52 will be in registration with

openings

22b and 20b, respectively. This stage of the process will be the same as the above-described adsorption step and adsorbent regeneration step except that valve disk 8 will be advanced 180°.

Upon further clockwise rotation of disk 8,

passages

32, 34, 50 and 52 will eventually come out of registration with

openings

22a, 22b, 20a and 20b, respectively, which event marks the end of the second adsorption-regeneration step of the cycle. As disk 8 continues to rotate clockwise end portions 48 will come into registration with

openings

20a and 20b. This will initiate outlet-to-outlet pressure equalisation with gas flowing from vessel A to vessel B. This step will continue until end portions 48 come out of registration with

openings

20a and 20b. This will mark the end of the second pressure equalisation step of the process and the end of the first cycle. Disk 8 will continue to rotate and cycle adsorbers A and B through each cycle of the process until the adsorption run ends.

Figures 5-7 illustrate the construction of a valve port disk and a valve passage disk that are intended for use in the multiple vessel embodiment of the invention. Valve port disk 106 and valve passage disk 108 are likewise shown as circular in construction, although they may have other shapes. As in the embodiment illustrated by Figures 1-4, valve port disk 106 and valve passage disk 108 are preferably made of a durable material such as ceramic, which can be ground to a highly polished flat finish to enable the faces of the disks to form a fluid-tight seal when pressed together.

Valve port disk 106 has a highly polished flat circular engagement surface 114; a smooth cylindrical sidewall 116 (like sidewall 16 of disk 6, Figure 1); a feed inlet opening 118; an inner array of twelve equally spaced openings 122, each of which is attached via a flow conduit to the inlet end of an adsorption vessel; and an outer array of twelve equally spaced openings 120, each of which is attached to the outlet end of an adsorption vessel. Openings 120 lie in the same ring array, i.e. they are all the same radial distance from the geometric centre of surface 114. Openings 122 likewise lie in the same ring array.

Openings

120 and 122 extend completely through disk 6 in a direction perpendicular to surface 114. Openings 120 are shown as smaller than openings 122, although they can be the same size. All openings of each specific array of openings are the same size.

As can be seen in Figure 6, valve passage disk 108, which likewise has a highly polished smooth engagement surface 124, and a smooth sidewall 126, has several arcuate passages or channels, each of which has as its centre of rotation the geometric centre of surface 124. Disk 108 has a blind feed passage 128 with a centre portion 130 and two diametrically opposed

arcuate passage portions

132a and 132b; a pair of diametrically opposed

arcuate exhaust passages

134a and 134b, that are joined together by an arcuate passage 134c, which has a bore 136 that initially extends into disk 108 in a direction perpendicular to surface 124 and then extends radially outward to the peripheral sidewall 126 of disk 8 (see Figure 6); two diametrically opposed

blind equalisation passages

144a and 144b, which are substantially the same in construction as equalisation passage 44 of Figure 3; an optional pair of diametrically opposed arcuate product-

backfill ports

150a and 150b; and a pair of optional diametrically opposed

arcuate purge passages

152a and 152b, each of which is similar in construction to arcuate purge passage 52 of Figure 3, and each of which has a

bore

154a, 154b, respectively, that likewise initially extend into disk 108 in a direction perpendicular to surface 124 and then extends radially outward to peripheral sidewall 126 of disk 108.

When disk 108 is placed on top of disk 106 in such a manner that surface 114 of disk 106 engages surface 124 of disk 108 with their geometric centres coinciding,

arcuate passages

132a and 132b, 134a and 134b coincide with the annulus in which openings 122 are located, and they come into registration with these openings upon rotation of disk 108; and the inner portion of optional arcuate product-

backfill ports

150a and 150b, optional

arcuate purge passages

152a and 152b and the end portions of

equalisation passages

144a and 144b coincide with the annulus in which openings 120 are located, and they come into registration with these openings upon rotation of valve disk 108. Disk 108 also has a recess 168 into which drive shaft 66 of motor 12 snugly fits to enable disk 108 to be rotated over surface 114 of valve member 106.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the leading edges (the front edges when valve passage disk 108 rotates in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 6) of

arcuate feed passages

132a and 132b lie on the radial vector lines indicated as

lines

153a and 153b, respectively, and the trailing edges of

passages

132a and 132b and those of

passages

150a and 150b lie respectively on the same radial vector lines. The section of product-

backfill ports

150a and 150b that are counterclockwise of

lines

153a and 153b serve as product ports and the portions of

ports

150a and 150b that lie clockwise of

lines

153a and 153b, designated as

sections

151a and 151b, respectively, serve as backfill ports.

Backfill ports

151a and 151b provide for the flow of product gas, for example from line 62 (Figure 1), countercurrently into the adsorption vessels that have been partially pressurised in the just-completed pressure equalisation step, to further pressurise these vessels to near operating adsorption pressure. In other words, when a valve passage

disk containing sections

151a and 151b is used in an adsorption process, the process will include a product backfill step. Valve passage disk 108 can, of course, be constructed without a backfill port section, in which case the leading edges of

ports

150a and 150b will coincide with

lines

153a and 153b, respectively.

Valve port disk 106 and valve passage disk 108 are designed to replace valve port disk 6 and valve passage disk 8, respectively in the valve assembly of Figure 1, and the valve assembly with

disks

106 and 108 will perform in the same manner as the assembly with

disks

6 and 8, except that it will operate a twelve adsorber system instead of a two adsorber system. Since valve passage disk 108 has diametrically opposed feed, product-backfill, exhaust, purge and equalisation passages, each adsorption vessel will undergo a complete adsorption cycle every half-rotation of valve passage disk 108. At any given time in an adsorption process using the valve members of Figures 5-7, at least four vessels will be in the adsorption phase, at least four will be in the bed regeneration phase and four will be approaching, in or just finished with outlet-to-outlet pressure equalisation (depending upon the position of valve passage disk 108 at the time and the width of the end portions of

equalisation passages

144a and 144b). In a full rotation of valve passage disk 108 there will be 24 separate production stages; accordingly, the adsorption process conducted with

disks

106 and 108 will produce a much more continuous flow of product than is produced in the two vessel system illustrated in Figure 1.

The twelve port embodiment of Figures 5-7 has another advantage over the two port embodiment of Figures 2-4. Since the various gas streams pass simultaneously through diametrically opposite sides of the valve assembly when the embodiment of Figures 5-7 is used, pressure will be distributed equally on both sides of the valve assembly, and the valve assembly will experience less stress. This is not the case with the Figure 2-4 embodiment.

The valve passage disk illustrated in Figure 8 is a variation of the valve passage disk shown in Figure 3. The Figure 8 disk provides for equalisation of adsorption vessels by simultaneously connecting the outlet ends and the inlet ends of the vessels being equalised. In the Figure 8 disk, valve passage disk 208, which likewise has a highly polished smooth circular engagement surface 224 and a smooth sidewall 226, has several arcuate passages or channels cut into surface 224, each of which has as its centre of rotation the geometric centre of circular surface 224. These include optional blind feed passage 228, which has a centre circular portion 230 and an arcuate passage portion 232; optional arcuate exhaust passage 234, which has a bore 236 that initially extends into disk 208 in a direction perpendicular to surface 224 and then extends radially outward to the peripheral sidewall 226 of disk 208 (as in Figure 4); blind inner equalisation passage 238, which has an arcuate portion 240 and grooved end portions 242; blind outer equalisation passage 244, which has an arcuate section 246 and end portions 248; optional arcuate product port 250, which extends radially outward to and cuts through sidewall 226 of disk 208; and optional arcuate purge passage 252, which has a bore 254 that likewise initially extends into disk 208 in a direction perpendicular to surface 224 and then extends radially outward to peripheral sidewall 226 of disk 208 (also as in Figure 4). When disk 208 is placed on top of disk 6 in such a manner that surface 14 of disk 6 engages surface 224 of disk 208 with their geometric centres coinciding,

arcuate passages

232 and 234 and a portion of end portions 242 of equalisation passage 238 coincide with the annulus in which

openings

22a and 22b are located, and they come into registration with these openings upon rotation of disk 208; and the inner portion of optional arcuate product port 250, optional arcuate purge passage 252 and a portion of end portions 248 of equalisation passage 244 coincide with the annulus in which

openings

20a and 20b are located, and they come into registration with these openings upon rotation of valve disk 208. In the embodiments illustrated in Figure 8, valve passage member 208 is designed for use in a valve assembly in which member 208 rotates in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 8. Recess 268 is substantially identical to recess 68, illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.

The valve passage disk illustrated in Figure 9 is another variation of the valve passage disk shown in Figure 3. The Figure 9 disk provides for equalisation of adsorption vessels by connecting the outlet end of the vessel being depressurised to both the inlet and outlet ends of the vessel being repressurised. In the Figure 9 embodiment, valve passage disk 308, which likewise has a highly polished smooth circular engagement surface 324 and a smooth sidewall 326, has several arcuate passages or channels cut into surface 324, each of which has as its centre of rotation the geometric centre of circular surface 324. These include optional blind feed passage 328, which has a centre circular portion 330 and an arcuate passage portion 332; optional arcuate exhaust passage 334, which has a bore 336 that initially extends into disk 308 in a direction perpendicular to surface 324 and then extends radially outward to the peripheral sidewall 326 of disk 8 (as in Figure 4); blind equalisation passage 338, which has an arcuate portion 340, a first end portion having a radially outwardly extending arm 342 and a second end portion having a radially outwardly extending arm 344 and an inwardly extending arm 346; optional arcuate product port 350, which extends radially outward to and cuts through sidewall 326 of disk 308; and optional arcuate purge passage 352, which has a bore 354 that likewise initially extends into disk 308 in a direction perpendicular to surface 324 and then extends radially outward to peripheral sidewall 326 of disk 308 (also as in Figure 4). When disk 308 is placed on top of disk 6 in such a manner that surface 14 of disk 6 engages surface 324 of disk 308 with their geometric centres coinciding,

arcuate passages

332 and 334 and a portion of arm 346 of equalisation passage 338 coincide with the annulus in which

openings

22a and 22b are located, and they come into registration with these openings upon rotation of disk 308; and the inner portion of optional arcuate product port 350, optional arcuate purge passage 352 and a portion of

arms

342 and 344 of equalisation passage 338 coincide with the annulus in which

openings

20a and 20b are located, and they come into registration with these openings upon rotation of valve disk 308. Recess 368 is substantially identical to recess 68, illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.

The adsorption vessels used in the system of the invention may be straight elongate vessels or they may be U-shaped or concentric so that, for example, their inlet ends and outlet ends are adjacent or somewhat adjacent each other. Concentric bed vessels have an inner cylindrical adsorbent-packed compartment surrounded by an outer annular adsorbent-packed compartment, the two compartments being of equal cross-sectional area and separated by a cylindrical wall which is sealed to one end of the vessels but does not extend to the other end of the vessels. Each compartment has an opening at the sealed end of the vessel, and fluid that is introduced into one compartment through its opening will pass axially through that compartment in one direction and axially through the other compartment in the opposite direction and leave the other compartment through its opening. A particular advantage of concentric bed adsorption vessels is the potential for heat exchange between the two beds at their feed/outlet ends.

It can be appreciated that the above-described embodiments are merely exemplary of invention and that other embodiments are contemplated. For example, flow of the product stream produced in the adsorption process does not have to be controlled by the valve assemblies of the invention. Nor it is not necessary that the purge fluid (if the process includes a purge step) pass through the valve assemblies. The product stream can pass directly from the outlet ends of the adsorption vessels to storage, and purging can be accomplished by inserting an orifice in the product flow line (both alternatives being described in US Patent Nos. 5,268,021, 5,366,541 and RE 35099).

Furthermore, it may be desirable to connect a vacuum means to exhaust line 58, shown in Figure 1, to assist in the adsorbent regeneration step. Vacuum regeneration can be conducted by itself or it can be conducted with the aid of a purge stream, whether or not the purge stream passes through the valve assemblies of the invention.

It will be appreciated that it is within the scope of the present invention to utilise conventional equipment to monitor and automatically regulate the flow of gases within the system so that it can be fully automated to run continuously in an efficient manner.

The invention is further illustrated by the following hypothetical examples in which, unless otherwise indicated, parts, percentages and ratios are on a volume basis.

EXAMPLE 1

A two-vessel adsorption system similar to that illustrated in Figure 1 is used in this hypothetical example. The valve assembly used in the system contains the valve members illustrated in Figures 2-4 and the adsorption vessels are packed with carbon molecular sieve. This valve assembly provides an adsorption cycle with an outlet-to-outlet equalisation step. The valve assembly is operated at a rate such that the rotatable valve passage disk completes a revolution in about 120 seconds. When air which has been prepurified to remove water vapour and carbon dioxide is compressed to a pressure of about 7.5 bara (bar absolute) and fed into the feed inlet of the system at a temperature of 20°C, 168 N litres of nitrogen per hour per litre of adsorbent at a purity of 99% will be produced.

EXAMPLE 2

The system illustrated in Figure 1 is used in this example, but with a valve port disk that does not have the outer ring of openings shown in the disk illustrated in Figure 2, and with a valve passage disk that does not include the outer equalisation passage 44 of the disk illustrated in Figure 3. In other words, the valve assembly used will provide only inlet-to-inlet pressure equalisation. The valve assembly is again operated at a rate such that the rotatable valve passage disk completes a revolution in about 120 seconds. When air which has been prepurified to remove water vapour and carbon dioxide is compressed to a pressure of about 7.5 bara (bar absolute) and fed into the feed inlet of the system at a temperature of 20°C, 141 N litres of nitrogen per hour per litre of adsorbent at a purity of 99% will be produced.

A comparison of the above examples shows that when the valve assembly of the invention is used, the nitrogen product flow rate will be about 19% greater than when a valve assembly which provides only inlet-to-inlet pressure equalisation is used.

EXAMPLE 3

A two-vessel adsorption system similar to that illustrated in Figure 1 is used in this hypothetical example. The valve assembly used in the system contains the valve members illustrated in Figure 2 and 8 and the adsorption vessels are packed with carbon molecular sieve. This valve assembly provides an adsorption cycle with an inlet-to-inlet/outlet-to-outlet equalisation step. The valve assembly is operated at a rate such that the rotatable valve passage disk completes a revolution in about 120 seconds. When air which has been prepurified to remove water vapour and carbon dioxide is compressed to a pressure of about 7.5 bara (bar absolute) and fed into the feed inlet of the system at a temperature of 20°C, 198 N litres per hour of nitrogen-enriched gas having a purity of 99% will be produced.

EXAMPLE 4

A two-vessel adsorption system similar to that illustrated in Figure 1 is used in this hypothetical example. The valve assembly used in the system contains the valve members illustrated in Figures 2 and 9 and the adsorption vessels are packed with carbon molecular sieve. This valve assembly provides an adsorption cycle with an outlet-to-inlet-and-outlet equalisation step. The valve assembly is operated at a rate such that the rotatable valve passage disk completes a revolution in about 120 seconds. When air which has been prepurified to remove water vapour and carbon dioxide is compressed to a pressure of about 7.5 bara (bar absolute) and fed into the feed inlet of the system at a temperature of 20°C, 178 N litres per hour of nitrogen-enriched gas having a purity of 99% will be produced.

Although the invention has been described with particular reference to specific equipment arrangements and to specific experiments, these features are merely exemplary of the invention and variations are contemplated. For example, U-shaped or concentric adsorption vessels can be used in the adsorption system of the invention. This will enable all conduits to be located at one end of the adsorption vessels, thus rendering the adsorption system more compact.

Claims

A valve assembly for providing selective flow communication between first fluid flow conduits and between second fluid flow conduits comprising a feed inlet, an exhaust outlet and first and second valve members having respective engaged surfaces relatively rotatable about a common centre of rotation to provide valving action, said first valve member having a first set of equally spaced through apertures concentrically disposed at a first radius from said common centre of rotation with each aperture being in fluid communication with one of said first fluid flow conduits and a second set of equally spaced through apertures concentrically disposed at a second radius from said common centre of rotation with each aperture being in fluid communication with one of said second fluid flow conduits, said first and second sets of apertures comprising the same number of apertures; said second valve member having at least one flow passage means for selectively interconnecting two apertures of said first set of apertures, at least one feed passage means for providing fluid communication between said feed inlet and one or more apertures of the second set of apertures and at least one exhaust passage means for providing fluid communication between said exhaust outlet and one or more apertures of the second set of apertures; and drive means for effecting relative rotation of said valve members to enable rotationally cycled interconnection and fluid flow between two apertures of said first set of apertures, between said feed inlet and one or more apertures of said second set of apertures and between said exhaust outlet and one or more apertures of said second set of apertures.
A valve assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said second valve member additionally has at least one flow passage means for selectively interconnecting two apertures of said second set of apertures.
A valve assembly as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said at least one flow passage means interconnects two apertures of said first set of apertures and one aperture of said second set of apertures.
A valve assembly as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein said first valve member is stationary and said second valve member is rotatable.
A valve assembly as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said first and second sets of apertures comprise the same even number of apertures;
A valve assembly as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said first and second sets of apertures each have two apertures, and said second valve member has (a) one flow passage means for selectively interconnecting the two apertures of said first set of apertures, (b) one flow passage means for selectively interconnecting the two apertures of said first set of apertures and one flow passage means for selectively interconnecting the two apertures of said second set of apertures or (c) one flow passage means for selectively interconnecting two apertures of said first set of apertures and one aperture of said second set of apertures; one feed passage means for providing fluid communication between said feed inlet and one or more apertures of said second set of apertures; and one exhaust passage means for providing fluid communication between said exhaust outlet and one or more apertures of said second set of apertures.
A valve assembly as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said first and second sets of apertures each have more than two apertures.
A valve assembly as claimed in Claim 7, wherein said second valve member has (a) two flow passage means each of which selectively interconnects two apertures of said first set of apertures, (b) two flow passage means each selectively interconnecting two apertures of said first set of apertures and two flow passage means each interconnecting two apertures of said second set of apertures or (c) two flow passage means each of which interconnects two apertures of said first set of apertures and one aperture of said second set of apertures; two feed passage means, each providing fluid communication between said feed inlet and one or more apertures of said second set of apertures; and two exhaust passage means, each providing fluid communication between said exhaust outlet and one or more apertures of said second set of apertures.
A valve assembly as claimed in Claim 8, wherein each set of apertures of said first valve member has a total of 8, 12, 16 or 20 apertures.
A valve assembly as claimed in any preceding Claim, further comprising a product outlet, and wherein said second valve member additionally has at least one product passage means for providing fluid communication between said product outlet and one or more apertures of said first set of apertures.
A valve assembly as claimed in Claim 10, wherein each product passage means is at least partly located in a radial sector from said common centre of rotation in which a feed passage means is located.
A valve assembly as claimed in Claim 10 or Claim 11, wherein a portion of each product passage means serves as a backfill passage means.
A valve assembly as claimed in any preceding Claim, further comprising a backfill inlet and wherein said second valve member additionally has at least one product backfill passage means for providing fluid communication between said backfill inlet and one or more apertures of said first set of apertures.
A valve assembly as claimed in any preceding Claim further comprising a purge inlet and wherein said second valve member additionally has at least one purge passage means for providing fluid communication between said purge inlet and one or more apertures of said first set of apertures.
A valve assembly as claimed in Claim 14, wherein each purge passage means is located in the radial sector from said common centre of rotation in which an exhaust passage means is located.
A valve assembly as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the radial sector in which each purge passage is located has a lesser angular extent than the radial sector in which each exhaust passage means is located.
A valve assembly as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said drive means effects continuous relative motion of said valve members.
A valve assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 16, wherein said drive means effects stepwise relative motion of said valve members.
An adsorption system comprising a valve assembly as claimed in any preceding Claim and an array of adsorption vessels each having a feed inlet end and a product outlet end and containing an adsorbent which preferentially adsorbs one or more fluids of a fluid mixture, wherein each conduit of said first set of fluid flow conduits is connected to the product outlet end of one vessel of said array of adsorption vessels and each conduit of said second set of fluid flow conduits is connected to the feed inlet end of one vessel of said array of adsorption vessels.
An adsorption system as claimed in Claim 19, wherein said first radius is greater than said second radius.
An adsorption system as claimed in Claim 19 or Claim 20, wherein said adsorption vessels are U-shaped or concentric.
A process comprising introducing into the feed inlet of an adsorption system as claimed in Claim 19, Claim 20 or Claim 21, while said first and second valve members are in relative rotation, a fluid mixture which contains at least one component which is preferentially adsorbed by said adsorbent relative to at least one other component of said fluid mixture, while withdrawing through said product outlet fluid enriched in said at least one other component, and withdrawing through said exhaust outlet fluid enriched in said at least one component and providing outlet-to-outlet, inlet-to-inlet and outlet-to-outlet or outlet-to-inlet-and-outlet equalisation between selected vessels of the system.
A process as claimed in Claim 22, wherein said fluid mixture is a gaseous mixture.
A process as claimed in Claim 23, wherein said gaseous mixture is air.
A process as claimed in Claim 24, wherein said at least one component is oxygen and said at least one other component is nitrogen.
A process as claimed in Claim 24, wherein said at least one component is nitrogen and said at least one other component is oxygen.